Headaches why

The most common type of headache is a tension headache also called a muscle-contraction headache. Tension headaches happen when stressed-out head or neck muscles squeeze too hard. This causes pain often described as:. Pain that's especially sharp and throbbing can be a sign of a migraine headache. Migraine headaches aren't as common as tension headaches. But for teens who do get them, the pain can be strong enough to make them miss school or other activities if the headaches aren't treated.

One big difference between tension headaches and migraines is that migraines sometimes cause people to feel sick or even to throw up.

Tension headaches typically don't cause nausea or vomiting. Most migraines last anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Some can last as long as a couple of days. They can feel worse when someone is doing physical activity or is around light, smells, or loud sounds.

For some teens, hormonal changes can also cause headaches. For example, some girls get headaches just before their periods or at other regular times during their monthly cycle. Migraine headaches often run in the family. So if a parent, grandparent, or other family member gets them, there's a chance you could get them too. Some people are sensitive to things that can bring on migraine headaches called triggers , such as some foods, stress, changes in sleep patterns, or even the weather.

If you think your headaches may be migraines, you'll want to see a doctor to treat them and learn ways to try to avoid getting the headaches in the first place. In most cases, episodic headaches will go away within 48 hours.

If you have a headache that lasts more than two days or that increases in intensity, you should see your doctor for assistance. Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health conditions, and some do require treatment beyond OTC medications and home remedies.

If you have more than 15 headaches per month, you may have constant headaches. Treatment will depend on what is causing your headaches. Your doctor…. A headache is a very common condition. Headaches can sometimes be mild, but in many cases, they can cause severe pain that makes it difficult to…. Some headaches may require immediate attention from a doctor. Discover important headache warning signs here, from the rapid pain of a thunderclap….

Primary headaches are caused by changes to blood vessels, nerves, and chemicals in the brain. Secondary headaches are caused by another condition…. Find out what's causing your early morning headaches. Learn 12 causes of ringing in ears, dizziness, and pressure in head as well as what to do next and whether you can treat at home or require medical….

Have you had that unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as brain freeze, ice cream brain, or an ice cream headache? Learn why it happens and how to…. Ophthalmoplegic migraine, now called recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy RPON , is a rare, painful nerve condition that causes headaches. Blurred vision and headache can be alarming when they occur together. There are several conditions that may cause both.

Know how they are diagnosed…. Working for long periods on blue light-emitting devices can lead to headaches—but it may not be the light itself that causes problems. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.

Primary headaches Tension headaches Cluster headaches Migraine Secondary headaches Allergy or sinus headaches Hormone headaches Caffeine headaches Exertion headaches Hypertension headaches Rebound headaches Post-traumatic headaches See your doctor Types of headaches Many of us are familiar with some form of the throbbing, uncomfortable, and distracting pain of a headache.

This article will explain 10 different types of headaches: tension headaches cluster headaches migraine headaches allergy or sinus headaches hormone headaches caffeine headaches exertion headaches hypertension headaches rebound headaches post-traumatic headaches The World Health Organization points out that nearly everyone experiences a headache once in a while. The most common primary headaches. Tension headaches. Cluster headaches. The most common secondary headaches. Allergy or sinus headaches.

Hormone headaches. Caffeine headaches. Exertion headaches. Hypertension headaches. Rebound headaches. Post-traumatic headaches. When to see your doctor. What You Need to Know. Headache Warning Signs. What Causes Headaches? Tips for Identification and Treatment. What Causes Early Morning Headaches? Read this next. Having Constant Headaches? Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, MD.

Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Polarised lenses can also help to reduce glare. At work, adjust your computer monitor or attach a glare screen. You may be able to turn off certain lights or move them. If you cannot, change where you sit in the office.

Fluorescent lighting tends to flicker, so if you're able to, substitute it with some other form of lighting. Your turkey and cheese sandwich and small bar of dark chocolate might be a tasty lunch, but beware of the headache that could follow it. All these foods contain chemicals that can bring on a migraine.

Other culprits include aged cheeses like stilton and brie, diet fizzy drinks, and processed meats and fish. How to fix it: Keep a migraine trigger diary and once you suspect a certain food may be the cause of your headaches, eliminate it from your diet for a couple of months to see if you get fewer headaches.

If you're concerned about avoiding any food-related trigger factor, see your GP or practice nurse or ask to be referred to a dietitian for specialist advice. The Migraine Trust has more information about keeping a migraine diary. It's a standing joke that headaches are used as an excuse to avoid sex, but for many men and women coital headaches that come on at the height of passion are a real and distressing problem.

Doctors think sex headaches are due to pressure building up in the head and neck muscles. The headaches can happen during foreplay or just before orgasm, and can last for a few minutes or up to an hour.

Take a painkiller a few hours beforehand to block the headache. Do you get a sharp, stabbing pain in your forehead when you bite into an ice cream cone? Then you're susceptible to ice cream headaches, caused by cold material moving across the roof of your mouth and the back of your throat. Ice lollies and slushy frozen drinks have the same effect.

How to fix it: The good news is that ice cream headaches do not need treatment. In fact, they're over in a flash, rarely lasting more than a minute or two. Page last reviewed: 09 February Next review due: 09 February Relaxing after stress You put in hour days from Monday to Friday and you feel fine, only to wake up after a lie-in on Saturday with a pounding headache. Pent-up anger When you're angry, muscles in the back of your neck and scalp tense up, causing a tight band-like sensation around your head.